Jackson County and 15 Jackson County Officials and Employees received safety awards during the County Commissioners Safety Conference. The awards were sponsored by the Association of County Commissioners of Oklahoma (ACCO).

State Labor Commissioner Lloyd Fields addressed the conference and helped present the awards.  Commissioner Fields commented, "The safety program implemented by the Association of County Commissioners has proven very successful.  The Oklahoma Department of Labor is committed to working with ACCO to prevent accidents and promote workplace safety."

It is the goal of every county to provide a safe and healthy work environment for their employees. Recognizing employees that meet their goal of zero injuries helps raise the awareness of the importance of the local safety programs. This awareness has resulted in fewer accidents and helped reduce insurance premiums in many counties. An average of over 500 county employees receive awards each year across Oklahoma, recognizing their accomplishment of going another five continuous years of employment without an injury. It is the goal of the Association to provide assistance to counties to further reduce accidents and injuries and to provide a safe workplace for each employee.

Jackson County also received a County Award. “Jackson County was one of only seven counties in the state that had no losses in the county workers compensation insurance program for fiscal year 2009-2010” said ACCO Safety Director Dale Frech, “this is truly a special honor.” Frech noted that to receive this award, Jackson County had a no loss record for the total fiscal year. To recognize and support this outstanding achievement ACCO presented Jackson County with a plaque.

“The taxpayers of Jackson County should be proud of their county employees for receiving this award, because the county’s injury costs have been reduced. Of course that in turn saves taxpayers of Jackson County dollars, “said ACCO Executive Director Gayle Ward.

The Association of County Commissioners of Oklahoma is a non-profit, educational organization designed to assist commissioners and other elected county officials in the improved performance of government.

The following Jackson County Employees received individual awards recognizing their accomplishments: Kim Adams, 5; Buddy Dethan, 5; Machelle Dickerson, 5; Johnathon Foster, 5; Jerry Gibson, 5; Roger Levick, 5; Oscar Morales, 10; Terrie Pulley, 5; Stacy Randolph, 5; Helen Scott, 5; Linda Sherrill, 30; Rhona Stepanovich, 20; Ferman Vallegas, 5; Darris Wheeler, 5; and Linda Winters, 10.